Cruise toJerusalem (Ashdod), Israel

After you arrive at the port at Ashdod, it's a one-hour drive to Jerusalem, the city sacred to Jews, Muslims and Christians alike. Enter the Old City through one of the eight gates, built in the early 16th century by the Turkish Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent — see the ferocious-looking animal carvings of the Lion's Gate or the flower rosettes carved above Herod's Gate. Cruise to Jerusalem and take in the smell of Arabian coffee, incense and spices at one of the markets of the Old City as you venture to the historic Wailing Wall. Enter the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and see its ornate shrines and austere icons. Then, head to the nearby Dome of the Rock, with its distinctive gold dome and traditional Islamic geometric designs.

National LanguageHebrew, Arabic

Currency AcceptedIsraeli New Shekel (ILS)

Things To Do in Jerusalem (Ashdod)

Houses of the Holy

The Dome of the Rock Mosque with a golden dome and mosaic tiles in Jerusalem, Israel

The Dome of the Rock Mosque with a golden dome and mosaic tiles in Jerusalem, Israel

Houses of the Holy

Head to the Temple Mount, an large public space sacred to all three monotheist religions. Visit the iconic gold-plated Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, built in 705 AD. The plaza is surrounded by walls, including the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site. Tourists and pilgrims alike write prayers on pieces of paper and crumple them into the crevices of the wall.

Join the Pilgrims

Church of the Holy Sepulchre made out of stones with a blue dome and cross over it with blue skies in Jerusalem, Israel

Church of the Holy Sepulchre made out of stones with a blue dome and cross over it with blue skies in Jerusalem, Israel

Join the Pilgrims

Join the pilgrims to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of Christianity's most sacred sites. It is believed by many Christians that the church that stands today was built on the spot where Jesus' resurrection occurred. It was built in 335, destroyed in 1009 and gradually rebuilt. When you enter the sanctuary, take in the smell of frankincense and the contemplative candlelight.

The Holocaust Sculpture with broken columns coming out of the ground in Jerusalem, Israel

Powerful Memorial

Yad Vashem, an 18-hectare site, is Israel's official memorial to the 6 million Jews who perished during World War II. Photos of those killed completely cover one of the ceilings. There is a collection of works created in ghettos and camps, and an eternal flame burns near a crypt containing the ashes of the victims.

Local Cuisine

The culinary scene is a creative mixture of cuisines from Jerusalem's countless immigrants. Enjoy some hummus with bread, falafel, kebab, shawarma or other Middle Eastern fare in the Old City during your Jerusalem cruise. For Mediterranean-style eateries, go to Jaffa Gate where you can find a bounty of street vendors selling local fare like burekas, a flaky pastry filled with savor cheese and vegetables.

Blue painted ceramic plates sold at souvenir shops at Arab bazaar in Jerusalem

Shopping

Browse the arcade with art boutiques at Cardo in the Old City. In the Muslim Quarter and Mahane Yehuda Market, you'll find Arabic ceramics, embroidery, coffee, spices and sweets. For hand-stitched clothing and bags from a collective of West Bank women go to the Bint Al Balad Workshop and Cafe on HaAhim Pereire St.

Insider's Tips

1Check the opening hours before your visits, especially during Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath that begins on Fridays at sunset.

2Dress modestly — no bare legs, shoulders or backs — if you would like to visit a church, mosque or synagogue.